Overnight in Chicago

On Sunday 19 November Susie and I left Grand Rapids for Chicago where we planned to meet up with my brother Greg and later with Susie's cousin Brenda. In-between we hoped to so some sightseeing and enjoy an afternoon tea at the London House.

Since driving into the city held little appeal for us we opted to take the train. There is only one train a day out of Grand Rapids but four trains that leave Kalamazoo for Chicago each day; so we drove the 50 miles or so south to Kalamazoo Sunday morning, found the long-term parking lot across from the station and waited for the train, the Blue Water from Port Huron.

The train arrived on time, we boarded quickly and found a pair of seats, settling in for the 2-hour-plus ride into the windy city. Of course this being Amtrak the train sat at New Buffalo for the better part of a half hour while the staff figured out what to do about a flat spot on one of the wheels. The conductor announced that the flat spot wouldn't have any impact on the train so we continued on our way, arriving at Union Station in the city about 45 minutes late.

Making our way to Jackson Boulevard we walked the three blocks or so to our hotel where we joined Greg for lunch. He had arrived a bit early and was there to greet us in the lobby. It had been some time since we had all been together -- although his wife Joyce was home sick -- and we had plenty to catch up on.

After lunch we checked in, and chilled out until our timed ticket to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower, located just across the street from our hotel.

Before making our way to the elevator we had to wend our way through a fascinating series of displays about Chicago history and of course the history of the Tower. Originally called the Sears Tower, it opened in 1973 just a few years before I came to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois. Since I had never taken the time to go up to the top when I was there in the 1970s, I thought it was about time to experience it.

The views were stunning and, while I was tempted to go out onto the plexiglass Ledge, the line was long so we eventually made our way back down and out.

Back at the hotel we relaxed and had a glass of wine in the lounge before getting our Uber to take us to dinner.

entry for general admission

the El car simulator

looking south

looking east

looking north

The plan was to meet up with Susie's cousin Brenda and her husband John at the Bistro Campagne, one of their favorite eateries in the city. The driver took us straight east to the lakeshore and then headed north allowing us to see some pretty fantastic holiday lights on some of the apartment buildings along the way. 

We arrived just about on time and they were waiting for us with wine already poured -- a delicious Gigondas as I recall. The evening was full of lively conversation, scrumptious food (I had the steak frites) and good fellowship. I think I shocked Brenda, an art historian by trade and passion, when I claimed I failed to see what the fuss was about Mark Rothko. . .  a conversation I'm sure we will pick up the next time. 

Back to the hotel we tucked ourselves in for the night. 

The next morning I showered, dressed and made my way across the street to Starbucks for morning coffee for the two of us. 

After checking out we we walked down to the Chicago Art Institute, arriving a bit before opening and so joined the queue waiting to get in. Once inside we made a beeline for the Impressionist wing, then headed for the Caravaggio exhibition followed by the Camille Claudel exhibition. 

Art Institute

Looking from the Art Institute toward the Willis tower

Queueing up!

Since we were on a schedule we had little time to dally further in the museum so we were off again into the blustery chill of Chicago, making our way to the El. 

Our next stop was the London House Hotel for afternoon tea.  

We found the hotel easily enough but once inside we were a bit flummoxed by the layout -- the registration was on the second floor but when we got into the elevator there were no buttons, one of the odd gimmicks about the place. Anyway we found our way to the restaurant, located in fact in the lobby on the second floor although one would never know this. . . 

the entryway on the ground floor although registration is oddly on the second floor

The setting was lovely and the staff professional and attentive. The food we thought less than stellar, however, and somewhat more frou-frou than tasty. But it was a grand afternoon and the experience was worth the trip. 

It was a short walk back to the El and to Union Station for our 4:00 pm (16:00) train.

the grand hall at Union Station

the steps used in the Untouchables

 

The problems with Amtrak, what we know of them, became most obvious at this end of our journey. 

We were all told to wait in the grand hall for the announcement for our train. Yet it was next to impossible to make heads or tails of what was being announced. As the time for our departure came and went, scores of passengers waiting for our train, the Blue Water no. 364, milled around, blocking travelers coming and going, and at one point began lining up near the entrance to the Amtrak gates. This was of course frowned upon by the higher powers and we were all broken up and told to return to the grand hall. 

At this point I stopped in the customer service office and said we couldn't hear the announcements and the very pleasant woman behind the desk suggested we go down to the Assisted Access Lounge next to the gates where we could wait in comfort with the other seniors and easily hear any announcements.

We found the lounge and relaxed until a young staff member called out for the passengers on our train to follow him. He led our small group of senior citizens to the head of the line at the gate and before long we found ourselves aboard and seated. 

But the ordeal was far from over, no sir. 

Just short of Niles, Michigan, the train stopped in the middle of nowhere and we were informed that there was someone on the tracks just ahead. A half hour or so later the announcement came over the tinny loudspeakers that the police had removed trespassers and we were now free to continue on our way. 

We eventually arrived in Kalamazoo -- three hours later to be sure but safely nonetheless. 

Still, if the journey itself had been less than stellar, the objectives of our trip had been achieved: it was wonderful to see family and visit a couple of the iconic sights in Chicago, not to mention enjoy an afternoon tea in comfort.